tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-86893823124849423242018-03-05T22:02:08.257-08:00Gladheart GirlsBrava Boutiquehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06087465911593271982noreply@blogger.comBlogger12125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8689382312484942324.post-35224812420337401772012-02-04T22:04:00.000-08:002012-10-03T23:23:24.958-07:00Let's Try This Again...Well I guess it is a good thing that I have been soooo busy sewing that I don't have time to keep up my blog...right? &nbsp;So much has changed since that last post in 2010 I don't know where to start! &nbsp;No need to re-hash what is in the past so let's just jump right in to January 2012...need to set some goals to get this business moving!<br /><br />But first I must bring you up to date on the major goals I accomplished in 2011. &nbsp;Always good to cross stuff off of the list. &nbsp;My most favorite of all is the design of my logo and branding package for my clothing line "Glad Heart"! &nbsp;I used an amazing graphic designer on <a href="http://www.etsy.com/">Etsy</a>&nbsp;called <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/1sweetorange"> 1 Sweet Orange</a>. &nbsp;Highly recommend! The toughest part was designing the logo but after that it was all downhill. &nbsp;Check it out...<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8KhMcoSrgkM/TxfHsCxxKGI/AAAAAAAAARg/4y70fsa24vE/s1600/bravaboutique_2x2_with_background.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8KhMcoSrgkM/TxfHsCxxKGI/AAAAAAAAARg/4y70fsa24vE/s400/bravaboutique_2x2_with_background.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I love the simple lines, bold colors, and the arrow reflecting the eco-friendly upcycled nature of my clothing line. &nbsp;I definitely had no idea what I was doing when it came to designing a logo. &nbsp;Everything was too busy and detailed. &nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="http://1sweetorange.etsy.com/">1 Sweet Orange</a>&nbsp;educated me and set me straight...less is more!</div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />Next step, business card. &nbsp;The majority of the items in my shop are UPCycled from a gently used t shirt. &nbsp;If people love something, whether it be a band or sports team, they usually have a t shirt for it. &nbsp;I wanted the design to convey the idea that there is a t shirt for every pop-culture phenomenon under the sun. &nbsp;I think <a href="http://1sweetorange.etsy.com/">1 Sweet Orange</a>&nbsp;captured the feel of my shop perfectly with these vintage pop-culture images. &nbsp;Had everything printed by <a href="http://www.moo.com/">Moo</a> and could not be happier with the service and quality.</div><br /><span id="goog_2127289860"></span><span id="goog_2127289861"></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Pv135moYsz8/TxfHpkj82xI/AAAAAAAAARQ/cr6UIVOpSl8/s1600/bravaboutique_Business_Card_MOO_BACKv2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Pv135moYsz8/TxfHpkj82xI/AAAAAAAAARQ/cr6UIVOpSl8/s320/bravaboutique_Business_Card_MOO_BACKv2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wiQlf67kAmE/TxfHq51pBCI/AAAAAAAAARY/jMxAMUjPzCI/s1600/bravaboutique_Business_Card_MOO_FRONTv2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wiQlf67kAmE/TxfHq51pBCI/AAAAAAAAARY/jMxAMUjPzCI/s320/bravaboutique_Business_Card_MOO_FRONTv2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Now we are on a roll! &nbsp;How about a hang tag. &nbsp;I used the mini cards from <a href="http://www.moo.com/">Moo</a>&nbsp;to create the perfect hang tag for my clothing items. &nbsp;It is just a simplified version and half the size of the business card.</div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cUSLbCku70g/TxfHnj-7XkI/AAAAAAAAARE/_m_jtEAJxZY/s1600/bravaboutique_minicard_MOO_BACK.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="138" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cUSLbCku70g/TxfHnj-7XkI/AAAAAAAAARE/_m_jtEAJxZY/s320/bravaboutique_minicard_MOO_BACK.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-446vimdvlCQ/TxfHmFiKaPI/AAAAAAAAAQ8/mBBSGhsu4JM/s1600/bravaboutique_minicard_MOO_FRONT.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="138" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-446vimdvlCQ/TxfHmFiKaPI/AAAAAAAAAQ8/mBBSGhsu4JM/s320/bravaboutique_minicard_MOO_FRONT.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">My Etsy shop was in severe need of a makeover...the avatar and banner were poorly made by yours truly. &nbsp;Now I look super legit and professional like :).</div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vFkLpNP5DW0/Ty4Lw7SIyvI/AAAAAAAAARw/NMNOGKaSQrc/s1600/bravaboutique2_75x75_avatar_sale.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vFkLpNP5DW0/Ty4Lw7SIyvI/AAAAAAAAARw/NMNOGKaSQrc/s1600/bravaboutique2_75x75_avatar_sale.jpg" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-001wHetAppw/TxfHlEfKkuI/AAAAAAAAAQ0/qKc0qKxRicE/s1600/bravaboutique2_75x75_avatar2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-001wHetAppw/TxfHlEfKkuI/AAAAAAAAAQ0/qKc0qKxRicE/s1600/bravaboutique2_75x75_avatar2.jpg" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-a2kRURSTWJc/Ty4LwlZiaPI/AAAAAAAAARo/-nu5typOs7g/s1600/bravaboutique2_75x75_avatar1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-a2kRURSTWJc/Ty4LwlZiaPI/AAAAAAAAARo/-nu5typOs7g/s1600/bravaboutique2_75x75_avatar1.jpg" /></a></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; color: black;"></span></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8Axo-OAsckU/TxfHj9OcnYI/AAAAAAAAAQk/cZVJWc1F_C0/s1600/bravaboutique2_760x100_banner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="51" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8Axo-OAsckU/TxfHj9OcnYI/AAAAAAAAAQk/cZVJWc1F_C0/s400/bravaboutique2_760x100_banner.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Finally, I had special placeholders made for my shop for custom orders, reserved listings, and a thank you's when it's time for customer feedback. &nbsp;They are all editable so I can customize them with my customer's name.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FoLpwrnLWO4/Ty4QP9vOAVI/AAAAAAAAASY/YJKp5X_6DA8/s1600/bravaboutique2_460x460_custom.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FoLpwrnLWO4/Ty4QP9vOAVI/AAAAAAAAASY/YJKp5X_6DA8/s320/bravaboutique2_460x460_custom.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vMVKMipCAdc/Ty4QQUjs-MI/AAAAAAAAASg/hV4CKb93oog/s1600/bravaboutique2_460x460_reserved.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vMVKMipCAdc/Ty4QQUjs-MI/AAAAAAAAASg/hV4CKb93oog/s320/bravaboutique2_460x460_reserved.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CAqmc2AgEAQ/Ty4QRG9n6GI/AAAAAAAAASo/eVWqasGjm-w/s1600/bravaboutique2_460x460_thanks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CAqmc2AgEAQ/Ty4QRG9n6GI/AAAAAAAAASo/eVWqasGjm-w/s320/bravaboutique2_460x460_thanks.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">In February I will lay out the goals for 2012...can you stand the suspense? &nbsp;Ha! &nbsp;I will give you a hint - to complete a minimum of 1 blog entry per month...I know - reaching for the starts right? &nbsp;Until next time :).</div>Brava Boutiquehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06087465911593271982noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8689382312484942324.post-6773878890664903372010-07-15T11:13:00.000-07:002010-07-15T11:13:48.729-07:00Etsy Christmas in July Sale!<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">From July 15th - 25th Brava Boutique will be participating in the Etsy Christmas in July Sale. &nbsp;Everything in our shop ships for free. &nbsp;If you haven't already, check out our new line of UPcycled T Shirt Dresses. &nbsp;We take gently used or new unwanted T Shirts and turn them into something fabulous!</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Our first collection is called AMERICAN SUMMER. These ONE OF A KIND creations are NUMBERED just like a work of art. They embody summertime in the good old USA...picnics, baseball, vacations, the beach, camping, you get the picture.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">&nbsp;</span></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_EfUEC2XSECI/TD9LGtWFuII/AAAAAAAAAMw/o5RIazu-yoA/s1600/DSC02967.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_EfUEC2XSECI/TD9LGtWFuII/AAAAAAAAAMw/o5RIazu-yoA/s400/DSC02967.JPG" width="261" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_EfUEC2XSECI/TD9LTAfoYQI/AAAAAAAAAM4/D2zV5b2r0Ao/s1600/DSC03091.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_EfUEC2XSECI/TD9LTAfoYQI/AAAAAAAAAM4/D2zV5b2r0Ao/s400/DSC03091.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_EfUEC2XSECI/TD9LcS2iqPI/AAAAAAAAANA/O3q4j1F5koU/s1600/DSC03023.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_EfUEC2XSECI/TD9LcS2iqPI/AAAAAAAAANA/O3q4j1F5koU/s320/DSC03023.JPG" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_EfUEC2XSECI/TD9LnUrKhBI/AAAAAAAAANI/WuR9PHQ4Wuc/s1600/DSC03233.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_EfUEC2XSECI/TD9LnUrKhBI/AAAAAAAAANI/WuR9PHQ4Wuc/s400/DSC03233.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_EfUEC2XSECI/TD9Lx4Iwp5I/AAAAAAAAANQ/21Lru_ZVu2A/s1600/DSC03170.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_EfUEC2XSECI/TD9Lx4Iwp5I/AAAAAAAAANQ/21Lru_ZVu2A/s400/DSC03170.JPG" width="345" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_EfUEC2XSECI/TD9L4xJwAUI/AAAAAAAAANY/VZ75bKTvWHg/s1600/DSC03045.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_EfUEC2XSECI/TD9L4xJwAUI/AAAAAAAAANY/VZ75bKTvWHg/s400/DSC03045.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_EfUEC2XSECI/TD9L86uI1ZI/AAAAAAAAANg/V_7YPYitMoA/s1600/DSC02955-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_EfUEC2XSECI/TD9L86uI1ZI/AAAAAAAAANg/V_7YPYitMoA/s400/DSC02955-1.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Our latest collection is called PEACE LOVE EARTH. These ONE OF A KIND creations are NUMBERED just like a work of art. They embody the very reason we created this series promoting the idea that we can all do our part to make this world a better place now and for future generations.</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_EfUEC2XSECI/TD9N6RDnlYI/AAAAAAAAAOI/Iqt8QBxDvag/s1600/DSC03338.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="380" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_EfUEC2XSECI/TD9N6RDnlYI/AAAAAAAAAOI/Iqt8QBxDvag/s400/DSC03338.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_EfUEC2XSECI/TD9NzUBDZSI/AAAAAAAAAOA/wPIUnD7MfBE/s1600/DSC03326.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_EfUEC2XSECI/TD9NzUBDZSI/AAAAAAAAAOA/wPIUnD7MfBE/s400/DSC03326.JPG" width="271" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_EfUEC2XSECI/TD9NhIe8hYI/AAAAAAAAANo/fgETeOKxeh8/s1600/DSC03274.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_EfUEC2XSECI/TD9NhIe8hYI/AAAAAAAAANo/fgETeOKxeh8/s400/DSC03274.JPG" width="265" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_EfUEC2XSECI/TD9NvetrATI/AAAAAAAAAN4/h-zTuJH22yw/s1600/DSC03294.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_EfUEC2XSECI/TD9NvetrATI/AAAAAAAAAN4/h-zTuJH22yw/s400/DSC03294.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_EfUEC2XSECI/TD9NqJ-VoCI/AAAAAAAAANw/iJ8OdyM_5do/s1600/DSC03221.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_EfUEC2XSECI/TD9NqJ-VoCI/AAAAAAAAANw/iJ8OdyM_5do/s400/DSC03221.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Coming soon...our 3rd series....Arrrrrggggghhhhhh!!!!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>Brava Boutiquehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06087465911593271982noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8689382312484942324.post-48320171469738875612010-07-13T12:12:00.000-07:002012-10-03T23:21:59.533-07:00Bad Blogger!<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"></span><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><b>No blog post since Feb...ugh, I am a disgrace to all things bloggy. &nbsp;Well, at least I have great excuse...business is up and the creativity is flowing! &nbsp;I am just popping in to leave a quick note (practically impossible for me to be brief but I will give it a go).</b></span></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><b></b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><b>Other than my failure as a blogger, we are on track with our goals for 2010!&nbsp;&nbsp;Will post on that later. &nbsp;An unexpected surprise came our way when the amazing Sarah Flake formed&nbsp;</b></span><a href="http://www.handmadeinvegas.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><b>Handmade in Vegas</b></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><b>, a team of Etsy shop artisans who live in Nevada. &nbsp;Check out the amazing talent in Sin City!</b></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.handmadeinvegas.com/"><img border="0" height="62" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_EfUEC2XSECI/TDy2zEQaTsI/AAAAAAAAAMo/ulEGRxjfc7A/s400/new+team+blog+header+copy.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><b></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="http://lasvegasetsyteam.blogspot.com/"> </a>Brava Boutiquehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06087465911593271982noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8689382312484942324.post-16641585274745939202010-02-03T13:19:00.000-08:002012-10-03T23:06:54.060-07:00Channeling Jerry MaguireSo I was watching Jerry Maguire the other night and was inspired by his memo…I mean Mission Statement…sorry Jerry - a passion filled, gut wrenching, true blue, conviction filled Mission Statement! <br /><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_EfUEC2XSECI/S2nQNXklmzI/AAAAAAAAALg/5z5wyNoZqMM/s1600-h/jerry_maguire_tosh_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="216" kt="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_EfUEC2XSECI/S2nQNXklmzI/AAAAAAAAALg/5z5wyNoZqMM/s320/jerry_maguire_tosh_2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">As a result of his Mission Statement he was chastised, ridiculed, fired, called a loser , beat up by his fiancé, lost every client to Sugar (love him!) and destroyed his reputation. Naturally, I thought it was a great idea to do the same for <strong><span style="color: #45818e;">Brava Boutique</span></strong>…even if she hates it I am pretty sure Natalie won’t subject me to the same fate Jerry met.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_EfUEC2XSECI/S2nQrAuSxkI/AAAAAAAAALo/0FIv3hp-lBg/s1600-h/jerrymaguire.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" kt="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_EfUEC2XSECI/S2nQrAuSxkI/AAAAAAAAALo/0FIv3hp-lBg/s320/jerrymaguire.jpg" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">As we emerge from the funk of designing, sewing, and NOT selling our Fall ’09 Collection we have mustered the energy and wherewithal to formulate a plan...to set a goal...to move forward. Ok, so maybe it’s not an earth shattering mission statement but here are the <span style="color: #45818e;"><strong>goals of Brava Boutique for 2010</strong></span>.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_EfUEC2XSECI/S2ncTR1o8BI/AAAAAAAAALw/Wl3d7PxcvkA/s1600-h/pattern2a-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="310" kt="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_EfUEC2XSECI/S2ncTR1o8BI/AAAAAAAAALw/Wl3d7PxcvkA/s400/pattern2a-1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #45818e; font-size: large;"><strong>Custom Orders Only</strong></span></div><br />In the past we have stuck with the same formula…design, buy fabric, sew entire collection, and finally, sell collection. I am exhausted just thinking of continuing in that direction. Our husbands (1 each) and our children (4 each) will trade us in for a more available, fresh, present wife and mother otherwise. All orders will be processed through our Etsy store <a href="http://www.bravaboutique.etsy.com/">http://www.bravaboutique.etsy.com/</a>.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_EfUEC2XSECI/S2nfIMDidMI/AAAAAAAAAL4/rbCQS_xLB5Q/s1600-h/EtsyHandmade.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" kt="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_EfUEC2XSECI/S2nfIMDidMI/AAAAAAAAAL4/rbCQS_xLB5Q/s320/EtsyHandmade.jpg" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="color: #45818e; font-size: large;">Design a Line of Accessories</span></strong></div><br /><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">We are pretty confident that we can sew just about any type of garment; however, accessories are not our forte. This year we will take a step back from garment design and construction to make fabulous, unique, ‘can't live without’ accessories. In the works are some great ideas and we can't wait to share them...stay tuned.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_EfUEC2XSECI/S2ngWT-qQWI/AAAAAAAAAMA/ShXyi8fBzQg/s1600-h/aaa+197.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" kt="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_EfUEC2XSECI/S2ngWT-qQWI/AAAAAAAAAMA/ShXyi8fBzQg/s400/aaa+197.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #45818e; font-size: large;"><strong>Publish a Pattern</strong></span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /></div>...everyone else is, why not us!<br /><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #45818e;"><strong>“Twitter” Our Own Ho</strong>rn</span></span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">At one time we were just seamstresses…now we wear many hats: designer, Etsian, ‘facebooker’, blogger, photographer, and coming soon, “Twitterer” (or is it Tweeter?). When the choice comes down to it I am sure you would rather us sew than Twitter. On the converse, without these awesome tools we wouldn't have anyone to sew for...balance must be achieved.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_EfUEC2XSECI/S2nhHpSHBDI/AAAAAAAAAMI/OYyxh_VkUOg/s1600-h/blog+update.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" kt="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_EfUEC2XSECI/S2nhHpSHBDI/AAAAAAAAAMI/OYyxh_VkUOg/s400/blog+update.gif" width="400" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />The only way to really measure progress in this area is to watch our fans/hearts/and followers grow...as I write this we have 205 facebook fans, 58 Etsy hearts, and 25 blog followers...let's see where we are at the end of the year...if we are sewing amazing things that you love these numbers are bound to skyrocket!</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #45818e; font-size: large;"><strong>Simplify</strong></span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">For many reasons - that are in and out of our control - we did not realize the success we had hoped for our Fall ’09 Collection (more on that later). We felt a little like Jerry Maguire did after he wrote his Mission Statement; however, like Jerry we will lick our wounds and move to the next thing.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Jerry was forced to start over from rock bottom. Instead of being a great agent to many clients, he became an amazing agent to one. Together they simplified by getting back to what they loved and as a result achieved success beyond their wildest dreams. Without all the Hollywood drama, we are adopting the same philosophy. Become fabulous and focused with a few amazing designs and get back to our love of creating!</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_EfUEC2XSECI/S2nmDGBZ7fI/AAAAAAAAAMQ/7RY01_Yt-Qw/s1600-h/pattern2a-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="310" kt="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_EfUEC2XSECI/S2nmDGBZ7fI/AAAAAAAAAMQ/7RY01_Yt-Qw/s400/pattern2a-2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Brava Boutiquehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06087465911593271982noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8689382312484942324.post-56910323267175132592009-11-24T12:55:00.000-08:002010-02-01T23:20:38.945-08:00Christmas Sale!<span style="font-family: &quot;Trebuchet MS&quot;, sans-serif; font-size: large;">We are now on ETSY!!! </span><a href="http://www.bravaboutique.etsy.com/"><span style="font-family: &quot;Trebuchet MS&quot;, sans-serif; font-size: large;">www.bravaboutique.etsy.com</span></a><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;Trebuchet MS&quot;, sans-serif;"><br /><span style="font-size: large;"></span></span><br /><span style="color: #cc33cc; font-family: &quot;Trebuchet MS&quot;, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Facebook Fans Receive 20% off Entire Etsy Purchase!!!</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;Trebuchet MS&quot;, sans-serif;"><br /><span style="font-size: large;"></span></span><br /><span style="color: #33ff33; font-family: &quot;Trebuchet MS&quot;, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Want 25% off your Etsy Purchase? Become a Facebook Fan and Follow this Blog!!!</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;Trebuchet MS&quot;, sans-serif;"><br /><span style="font-size: large;"></span></span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;Trebuchet MS&quot;, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Happy Thanksgiving and Merry Christmas!!!</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;Trebuchet MS&quot;, sans-serif;"><br /><span style="font-size: large;"></span></span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;Trebuchet MS&quot;, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Love,</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;Trebuchet MS&quot;, sans-serif;"><br /><span style="font-size: large;"></span></span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;Trebuchet MS&quot;, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Natalie and Carrie</span>Brava Boutiquehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06087465911593271982noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8689382312484942324.post-9281661333767588262009-09-22T00:31:00.000-07:002012-10-03T23:21:27.715-07:00Red Tape<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_EfUEC2XSECI/SqYIppzRFnI/AAAAAAAAAJk/_k21_-z0Cz0/s1600-h/red+tape.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5378996316629177970" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_EfUEC2XSECI/SqYIppzRFnI/AAAAAAAAAJk/_k21_-z0Cz0/s400/red+tape.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 85px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 127px;" /></a><span style="font-family: &quot;Trebuchet MS&quot;, sans-serif;">I will be the first to admit that I went kicking and screaming into legitimacy...I was so sure all that paperwork and license fees would stifle all of our fun and creativity. I just am not good with the "Red Tape".</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;Trebuchet MS&quot;, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_EfUEC2XSECI/Srh5pfD4Y2I/AAAAAAAAAKU/CSI7Q--yUiE/s1600-h/s08_timetracks_moonmaids-sewing.jpg"><span style="font-family: &quot;Trebuchet MS&quot;, sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5384187108140802914" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_EfUEC2XSECI/Srh5pfD4Y2I/AAAAAAAAAKU/CSI7Q--yUiE/s400/s08_timetracks_moonmaids-sewing.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 400px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 329px;" /></span></a><span style="font-family: &quot;Trebuchet MS&quot;, sans-serif;">I just want to have fun all the time and write blogs, play on facebook, and sew pretty things for little girls. Who cares if I have a tax i.d. number and why on earth would anyone want one..ugh!</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;Trebuchet MS&quot;, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_EfUEC2XSECI/Srh6acomR4I/AAAAAAAAAKc/ifkgNA5MSkk/s1600-h/Woman%2520sewing.jpg"><span style="font-family: &quot;Trebuchet MS&quot;, sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5384187949303089026" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_EfUEC2XSECI/Srh6acomR4I/AAAAAAAAAKc/ifkgNA5MSkk/s400/Woman%2520sewing.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 400px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></span></a><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;Trebuchet MS&quot;, sans-serif;">But then I drifted back in from the la la land I live in and acknowledged that if we want to see the fruits of our labor hanging in a swanky boutique window or if we want to go to a trade show without riding someone else's credentials then we must surrender. Thank God for Natalie who has a natural understanding of business stuff. She is good with numbers and is not intimidated by the details or paperwork. She just gets it. I on the other hand can't seem to absorb those types of details...they just bounce right off my brain. If I am honest with myself then I guess I must admit that I probably have selective comprehension. If I don't think it is fun then I just act like I cant do it so I dont have to. Yeah I said it.</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;Trebuchet MS&quot;, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_EfUEC2XSECI/Srhv4RmBZQI/AAAAAAAAAJs/wTCa1o2CP9A/s1600-h/taxes.gif"><span style="font-family: &quot;Trebuchet MS&quot;, sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5384176367107663106" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_EfUEC2XSECI/Srhv4RmBZQI/AAAAAAAAAJs/wTCa1o2CP9A/s400/taxes.gif" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 375px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 300px;" /></span></a><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;Trebuchet MS&quot;, sans-serif;">It all started with a class Natalie took at the </span><a href="http://www.textileshows.com/"><span style="font-family: &quot;Trebuchet MS&quot;, sans-serif;">International Textiles Expo</span></a><span style="font-family: &quot;Trebuchet MS&quot;, sans-serif;"> called <em>"The Do's and Don'ts of Starting an Apparel Business"</em> taught by Frances Harder. Frances Harder is the founder of FBI (Fashion Business Inc.) a non-profit educational business providing intelligence and support to smaller creative apparel companies. Her books and instructional materials are available from Harder Publications. The title of the class pretty much speaks for itself and it delivered the info we needed. At the class Natalie also purchased a great set of reference materials called <em>"Fashion for Profit" </em>which pretty much summarized the class. Natalie was fired up and enlightened about where we needed to go next.</span><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_EfUEC2XSECI/SrhzYxrgGWI/AAAAAAAAAKM/tic9SOgydB8/s1600-h/FFP005.gif"><span style="font-family: &quot;Trebuchet MS&quot;, sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5384180224011278690" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_EfUEC2XSECI/SrhzYxrgGWI/AAAAAAAAAKM/tic9SOgydB8/s400/FFP005.gif" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 400px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 214px;" /></span></a><span style="font-family: &quot;Trebuchet MS&quot;, sans-serif;">Before we set out and signed up for every license under the sun we sat down and discussed our goals. What were we doing this for? Did we want to stay small and cozy and sew outfits for our girlfriends or did we want to have a massive obnoxious fashion empire with sweat shops in every country.</span><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_EfUEC2XSECI/Srh6awEMOxI/AAAAAAAAAKk/ClfixPtuOeY/s1600-h/Sewing-Women.jpg"><span style="font-family: &quot;Trebuchet MS&quot;, sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5384187954519096082" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_EfUEC2XSECI/Srh6awEMOxI/AAAAAAAAAKk/ClfixPtuOeY/s400/Sewing-Women.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 306px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></span></a><span style="font-family: &quot;Trebuchet MS&quot;, sans-serif;"> In the end we agreed that we wanted to be able to purchase our supplies wholesale and to be able to wholesale our own products to retail boutiques. Maybe someday it would be great to design a collection and hire people to sew for us. In the end it seemed practical to apply for only the minimum credentials needed to get the ball rolling...like salt on your food, its much easier to add than to take away.</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;Trebuchet MS&quot;, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;Trebuchet MS&quot;, sans-serif;">In a nutshell we started at the City of Henderson and applied for our business license. They proceeded to give us a checklist that outlined the other credentials we needed to operate as a manufacturer: </span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;Trebuchet MS&quot;, sans-serif;">Home occupation permit<br />State sales tax permit</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;Trebuchet MS&quot;, sans-serif;">From there we were directed to the requirements outlined by the state of Nevada:</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;Trebuchet MS&quot;, sans-serif;">Business License<br />Sales tax permit<br />We formed a simple partnership entity...and...</span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;Trebuchet MS&quot;, sans-serif;">when all was said and done we probably spent about $300.00 in fees so that we could pay taxes. Furthermore we committed ourselves to plenty of future useless government revenue generating fees...the clerk with the State of Nevada even admitted it!</span><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_EfUEC2XSECI/Srhv5GrpXqI/AAAAAAAAAJ8/N3RiNapVQ-Q/s1600-h/suklbanner2008_2.jpg"><span style="font-family: &quot;Trebuchet MS&quot;, sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5384176381358333602" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_EfUEC2XSECI/Srhv5GrpXqI/AAAAAAAAAJ8/N3RiNapVQ-Q/s400/suklbanner2008_2.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 106px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></span></a><span style="font-family: &quot;Trebuchet MS&quot;, sans-serif;"> Finally, I ran across a great blog that inspired us to share our own journey...check out </span><a href="http://www.startupkidsline.com/"><span style="font-family: &quot;Trebuchet MS&quot;, sans-serif;">http://www.startupkidsline.com/</span></a><span style="font-family: &quot;Trebuchet MS&quot;, sans-serif;">. Amber is the owner of </span><a href="http://babyfabulous.com/" title="Link to Baby Fabulous"><span style="font-family: &quot;Trebuchet MS&quot;, sans-serif;">Baby Fabulous</span></a><span style="font-family: &quot;Trebuchet MS&quot;, sans-serif;"> - a trend-setting infant and toddler apparel and accessories line. Her blog is meant to share some of her startup and business growth experiences in the hopes that it helps somebody else going through the same thing. She has years worth of experience and has documented every detail. Her selfless sharing is invaluable. </span>Brava Boutiquehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06087465911593271982noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8689382312484942324.post-56031365592066916362009-08-10T23:45:00.000-07:002012-10-03T23:19:07.048-07:00Carrie's Sewing Room<span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Welcome to the place where I get <em><strong>CRAFTY</strong></em>...</span><br /><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"></span><br /><span style="color: #ffcc33; font-family: Trebuchet MS;"><strong><span style="color: #000099;">(Cue music...go to fabulous playlist and select Beastie Boys'</span> <span style="color: #cc0000;">"She's Crafty"</span> <span style="color: #000099;">for maximum reading enjoyment :)</span></strong></span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">We never really knew when it happened….it just sort snuck in under our radar. Even in retrospect the day and time eludes us; nevertheless, the room we so fondly referred to as the dining room is now identified as “the sewing room”. My husband hasn’t quite surrendered yet but he knows if I don’t sew there then the only other place for me to go is the “band room”. That’s right, the custom room he built out in the garage that houses all his toys. Did I mention that it is air conditioned and fully sound proof? His toys have air conditioning. I think it would be a great place to sew and create but I’m not so sure he agrees. I am definitely holding on to that card until I really need it. </span><br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_EfUEC2XSECI/Sm6hkLtGaqI/AAAAAAAAAIE/HHHlukg887E/s1600-h/DSC03759.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363401849234156194" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_EfUEC2XSECI/Sm6hkLtGaqI/AAAAAAAAAIE/HHHlukg887E/s400/DSC03759.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 400px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 300px;" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_EfUEC2XSECI/Sm6hkzDlVhI/AAAAAAAAAIM/wXmYQOffzGU/s1600-h/DSC03760.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363401859797440018" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_EfUEC2XSECI/Sm6hkzDlVhI/AAAAAAAAAIM/wXmYQOffzGU/s400/DSC03760.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a> <span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">If you look closely you can see remnants and artifacts from the ancient dining room era...long gone but definitely not forgotten.<br /></span><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_EfUEC2XSECI/Sm6f_dLu-sI/AAAAAAAAAHk/-3yJMwCSInc/s1600-h/DSC03752.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363400118759258818" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_EfUEC2XSECI/Sm6f_dLu-sI/AAAAAAAAAHk/-3yJMwCSInc/s400/DSC03752.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a> <span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Don't you love my Grandmother's pincushion...she was born in Buckingham Palace in the servants quarters...I'm just sayin..it's probably a royal hand-me-down.</span><br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_EfUEC2XSECI/Sm6f_-ZsCdI/AAAAAAAAAHs/xj0Is06WJQU/s1600-h/DSC03754.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363400127676156370" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_EfUEC2XSECI/Sm6f_-ZsCdI/AAAAAAAAAHs/xj0Is06WJQU/s400/DSC03754.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 400px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 300px;" /></a> <span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Hello Kitty pins from my very first sewing kit...</span><br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_EfUEC2XSECI/Sm6hlqAWHbI/AAAAAAAAAIU/vxLqjP90Usc/s1600-h/DSC03766.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363401874547809714" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_EfUEC2XSECI/Sm6hlqAWHbI/AAAAAAAAAIU/vxLqjP90Usc/s400/DSC03766.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a> <span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">You KNOW I have a <a href="http://www.berninausa.com/"><span style="color: #33cc00;">Bernina</span></a>...love it...the sales guy at <a href="http://www.quiltique.com/"><span style="color: #33cc00;">Quiltique</span></a> called it a Sewing Computer...It does so many cool things and has saved me hours! Thanks honey for my birthday present!</span><br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_EfUEC2XSECI/Sm6f_E7u_KI/AAAAAAAAAHc/yc7VQVYnvYQ/s1600-h/DSC03749.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363400112249699490" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_EfUEC2XSECI/Sm6f_E7u_KI/AAAAAAAAAHc/yc7VQVYnvYQ/s400/DSC03749.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_EfUEC2XSECI/Sm6m-LqEUiI/AAAAAAAAAJU/n8j_kDSUrfQ/s1600-h/DSC03751.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363407793456173602" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_EfUEC2XSECI/Sm6m-LqEUiI/AAAAAAAAAJU/n8j_kDSUrfQ/s400/DSC03751.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 400px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 300px;" /></a> <span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">I love this tool belt...it has become a permanent fixture on one of the dining room (I mean sewing room) chairs. I think the name of the company that makes them is The Mommy Tool Belt...I will find out for sure.</span><br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_EfUEC2XSECI/Sm6jLisvPOI/AAAAAAAAAIs/kfLv5douVjs/s1600-h/DSC03774.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363403624933178594" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_EfUEC2XSECI/Sm6jLisvPOI/AAAAAAAAAIs/kfLv5douVjs/s400/DSC03774.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a> <span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">I was given this plate as a gift when I was little...I use it as a "catch all" while I am sewing. It says, <em><span style="color: #993399;">"A little patience, a little smile and a job is done in a little while."</span></em> Natalie LOVES it when I say that to her...my version is "enjoy the process."</span><br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_EfUEC2XSECI/Sm6gAnCRucI/AAAAAAAAAH8/9vAAsgP_z1s/s1600-h/DSC03756.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363400138583816642" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_EfUEC2XSECI/Sm6gAnCRucI/AAAAAAAAAH8/9vAAsgP_z1s/s400/DSC03756.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a> <span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">The serger I use is a <a href="http://www.janome.com/"><span style="color: #33cc00;"><span style="color: #33cc00;">Janome</span> </span></a>My Lock 204D...my mom bought it for me for my birthday from <a href="http://www.sewnewhome.com/"><span style="color: #33cc00;">Cynthia's Sewing Shop</span></a>. It is simple and easy to use and I love it! I am so busy sewing I don't have time to take the "free class with purchase"...I am sure it can do things I never even thought of...</span><br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_EfUEC2XSECI/Sm6jM4QBwBI/AAAAAAAAAJE/5jykzIvZ8Fk/s1600-h/DSC03786.JPG"></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_EfUEC2XSECI/Sm6jMqzT3zI/AAAAAAAAAI8/NOkYOKwFSG4/s1600-h/DSC03780.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363403644288098098" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_EfUEC2XSECI/Sm6jMqzT3zI/AAAAAAAAAI8/NOkYOKwFSG4/s400/DSC03780.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_EfUEC2XSECI/Sm6hmWDWY2I/AAAAAAAAAIc/WP7cYXRoiJg/s1600-h/DSC03767.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363401886371570530" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_EfUEC2XSECI/Sm6hmWDWY2I/AAAAAAAAAIc/WP7cYXRoiJg/s400/DSC03767.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a> <span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">At first I used to take out my sewing machine and all my stuff and then put it all away at the end of the day. Not so much anymore. It’s like a factory now and I only clean it up when we are having company. Cleaned up it just looks like a tidy factory surrounded by 8 leather dining chairs. At least I put the ironing board away. Is it perfect? No. Is it conducive to me still hanging out with my family while I sew? Yes. And that is just fine with me. I have a feeling that is why my husband doesn’t spend much time in the band room…it’s lonely in the cushy, quiet, air conditioned room.</span><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_EfUEC2XSECI/Sm6m9r-m_iI/AAAAAAAAAJM/j9AiBy6mpBQ/s1600-h/DSC03762.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363407784952397346" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_EfUEC2XSECI/Sm6m9r-m_iI/AAAAAAAAAJM/j9AiBy6mpBQ/s400/DSC03762.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a>Brava Boutiquehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06087465911593271982noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8689382312484942324.post-73632803521768743562009-07-20T11:33:00.001-07:002012-10-03T23:16:38.898-07:00Wholesale Wrap Up<strong><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">So we conquered the cotton prints and were so spent! It was the last day of the Expo so we had to act fast to find the rest of the fabrics we needed...velour and corduroy. Surprisingly, they were both hard to find. There seemed to be rows upon rows of booths with fabrics that had no appeal to us or our needs. Finally, we got lucky and stumbled upon <a href="http://www.davidtextilesinc.com/"><span style="color: #33cc00;">David Textiles</span></a></span>.</span></strong><br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_EfUEC2XSECI/SmvZX2sXPxI/AAAAAAAAAF8/nyTtbyM1weM/s1600-h/David-textiles-logo.gif"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362618785156513554" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_EfUEC2XSECI/SmvZX2sXPxI/AAAAAAAAAF8/nyTtbyM1weM/s400/David-textiles-logo.gif" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 51px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_EfUEC2XSECI/SmvZnaiIfaI/AAAAAAAAAGE/Yu2ZboUswZY/s1600-h/Chic-Bebe-Flannel_3_1.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362619052475317666" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_EfUEC2XSECI/SmvZnaiIfaI/AAAAAAAAAGE/Yu2ZboUswZY/s400/Chic-Bebe-Flannel_3_1.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 139px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a> <br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><strong>From our perspective it looked as though they only had quilting fabric and licensing/character type fabrics. Had it not been for a very affable, eager and humorous sales rep we may have kept walking. He looked kind of like this guy. He made us an offer we <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">couldn</span>’t refuse</strong>…</span> <br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_EfUEC2XSECI/SmvyjnHuyNI/AAAAAAAAAG8/QgGFY-QHfC4/s1600-h/marlonbrando_godfather.png"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362646474925459666" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_EfUEC2XSECI/SmvyjnHuyNI/AAAAAAAAAG8/QgGFY-QHfC4/s400/marlonbrando_godfather.png" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 400px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 327px;" /></a><strong> <span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Within moments he had more swatches of cord than we could have hoped for and the perfect velour!!! He let us run them over to the </span></strong><a href="http://www.sevenislandsfabric.com/"><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><strong><span style="color: #33cc00;">Seven Islands Fabric</span> </strong></span></a><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><strong>booth to see if it worked with our cottons and it was perfect. </strong></span><br /><strong><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Next we needed buttons…we needed the perfect <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">blingy</span> button, not too big, not too small but just right. In spite of the overwhelming plethora of choices we could not find what we needed</span>. </strong><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_EfUEC2XSECI/SmvhWCowigI/AAAAAAAAAGc/G_GgxoHq7vc/s1600-h/buttons.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362627550095903234" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_EfUEC2XSECI/SmvhWCowigI/AAAAAAAAAGc/G_GgxoHq7vc/s400/buttons.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 293px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><strong> <span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Natalie was all out of annihilate and I was “swamped” as usual. She was wandering aimlessly from booth to booth and begging me to leave. I knew if we <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">didn</span>’t pick something we would kick ourselves later…buttons are pricey man! So, we saw, we overcame, we conquered. Buttons…check! They were so inexpensive I don’t think I could pay retail again without complaining all the way to the cash register</span></strong>.<br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_EfUEC2XSECI/Smvq_wp12tI/AAAAAAAAAGk/pAL4U1PEjuc/s1600-h/Wholesale.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362638162427763410" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_EfUEC2XSECI/Smvq_wp12tI/AAAAAAAAAGk/pAL4U1PEjuc/s400/Wholesale.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 274px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 200px;" /></a><span style="font-size: 180%;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="color: #993399;">So to wrap it up, if you are interested in buying fabric or all things crafty at wholesale for your fledgling crafty business this is what we recommend</span>:</span></span><br />•<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: trebuchet ms;"> <strong>Find a trade show as close to home as possible…no need to pay more than necessary for your first experience...unless of course it is in Vegas</strong>.</span><br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_EfUEC2XSECI/Smv1h85za1I/AAAAAAAAAHE/9xF9ogyasxc/s1600-h/LasVegas_Sign.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362649744947768146" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_EfUEC2XSECI/Smv1h85za1I/AAAAAAAAAHE/9xF9ogyasxc/s400/LasVegas_Sign.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 265px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: trebuchet ms;"><strong><span style="color: #993399;"> • If you already have your business license and tax identification number then you are golden. Just register for the trade show under the category that best fits your trade. For example, retailer, buyer, manufacturer etc</span>.<br /><br />• If you do not have all your ducks in a row yet (translation: AMATEUR) then see if you can attend the trade show as a representative of a company that is not an amateur. If you ask VERY NICELY I am sure they will be more than happy to accommodate you. Be sure to represent them with the utmost professionalism. We were honored to represent <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Pattycakes</span> Kids...an awesome place to find that perfect outfit or have a princess tea party</strong></span>. <br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_EfUEC2XSECI/Smv2jJpZlAI/AAAAAAAAAHM/leB43s3fIpo/s1600-h/cottage_11.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362650865060123650" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_EfUEC2XSECI/Smv2jJpZlAI/AAAAAAAAAHM/leB43s3fIpo/s400/cottage_11.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 119px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><br /><span style="color: #993399; font-family: trebuchet ms;"><strong>• If someone is nice enough to allow you to ride their coat tails (Patty <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Zimmer</span> you ROCK!!!) then make sure you DO NOT make a purchase using their credentials unless they have given you prior approval. In the end it all comes down to the tax burden and who is going to carry it. When we sat down to make our first wholesale purchase we made it very clear that we were a new business and in the process of getting our paperwork. The vendors and exhibitors were more than happy to help us with our order; HOWEVER, our order would not be shipped until they had the required information from us</strong></span>. <br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><strong><span style="color: #cc0000;">• Be laser focused (like Natalie)! Be perfectly clear in your own mind as to why you are there…do not get distracted (like Carrie) by all of the options. We stepped through the doors knowing exactly what we wanted and did not leave until we had conquered! It helps to preview the exhibitor booth layout online so you don't waste time wandering around searching for your favorite designer</span>.</strong></span><br /><span style="color: #993399; font-family: trebuchet ms;"><strong>• Our <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">smokin</span>’ deal with </strong></span><a href="http://www.davidtextilesinc.com/"><span style="color: #993399; font-family: trebuchet ms;"><strong>David Textiles </strong></span></a><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><strong><span style="color: #993399;">is a perfect example of what happens when you wait until the last day and hour of the Expo to make your move. Many exhibitors will be more likely to negotiate in the 11<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">th</span> hour. Remembering that we are AMATEURS, we did not plan that, we just got lucky</span>.<br /><span style="color: #cc0000;">• Finally, have a blast…we laughed so hard at ourselves and how lame we were!</span></strong></span> Brava Boutiquehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06087465911593271982noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8689382312484942324.post-11116043273104514112009-07-08T00:36:00.001-07:002012-10-03T23:12:59.230-07:00Can You Say Wholesale?When a cheetah hides in the tall grass waiting to pounce on a herd of cute little antelope it can encounter a phenomenon called "swamping effect". As the hundreds of antelope fly by it becomes so overwhelmed with it's options it can't focus on any one antelope. Before he knows it dinner has passed him by. All he sees is a bunch of antelope butts in the distance. Due to his inability to commit and focus he ends up with nothing and, really, any one of them would have been just as tasty as the other.<br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_EfUEC2XSECI/SmDHHWt0AvI/AAAAAAAAAE8/Fxp5AeZNenY/s1600-h/sitting+cheetah.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359502485741634290" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_EfUEC2XSECI/SmDHHWt0AvI/AAAAAAAAAE8/Fxp5AeZNenY/s400/sitting+cheetah.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 288px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a> I am the cheetah, <span style="color: #993399;">Carrie the Cheetah</span>... the antelope are really bolts of fabric and...well you get it. I am a decision making nightmare...there are so many beautiful options...ugh!<br />Natalie on the other hand, well, she is the kind of cheetah who starts killing antelope right away...she is <span style="color: #cc0000;">Natalie the Annihilator</span>...she picks off the antelope she wants and never looks back wondering if she got the tastiest, fattest, or yummiest antelope...she is full and completely confident in her decision.<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_EfUEC2XSECI/SmDL--Gl5sI/AAAAAAAAAFE/BpKxlc8c4PE/s1600-h/cheetah-running-small-1.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359507839253866178" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_EfUEC2XSECI/SmDL--Gl5sI/AAAAAAAAAFE/BpKxlc8c4PE/s400/cheetah-running-small-1.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><br />So <span style="color: #993399;">Carrie the Cheetah</span> and <span style="color: #cc0000;">Natalie the Annihilator</span> step into the<span style="color: #33cc00;"> </span><a href="http://www.textileshows.com/"><span style="color: #33cc00;">International Textiles Expo</span></a>...although it sounds like a match made in hell it works...there is balance. Seriously I was <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">sooooo</span></span> excited...I felt like an insider and was sure we were going to uncover some ancient Chinese secret of the fabric world. Armed with our swatches of jewel toned knits we bought on our <a href="http://www.fashiondistrict.org/"><span style="color: #33cc00;">LA Fashion District</span> </a>trip (again, a story for another time) we hit the floor. Our goal was to find the perfect compliments in corduroy, velour, and unique cotton prints.<br />It became evident very quickly that we were in for a long day...so many vendors...so little time. Luckily, we knew what we did NOT want and that was basically the same options we could find at the local quilt store. Not that there is anything wrong with quilt shop fabric...it's just not going to provide options that will set us apart. Many a late night has been spent searching the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">internet</span></span> for unique fabrics...they are out there but they are just <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">soooo</span></span> expensive! And then we saw it....smack dab in the middle of the expo....corner booth TA DA!!!...<a href="http://www.sevenislandsfabric.com/"><span style="color: #33cc00;">Seven Islands Fabrics</span></a>. <br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_EfUEC2XSECI/SmDXmCY1JLI/AAAAAAAAAFU/FF0btOk7U6w/s1600-h/sevenislandsfabric.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359520605046908082" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_EfUEC2XSECI/SmDXmCY1JLI/AAAAAAAAAFU/FF0btOk7U6w/s400/sevenislandsfabric.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 80px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><br />As we flipped <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">through</span> the bevy of swatches we knew right away we had found EXACTLY what we were looking for. There were so many amazing options that even if we closed our eyes and did a round of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">eenie</span></span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">meenie</span></span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">minie</span></span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">moe</span></span> we still couldn't go wrong. Every single print was slightly retro with a <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Japanese</span> vintage flair...<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">girly</span></span>, soft, amazing colors...PERFECT.<br />As the "swamping effect" started to overwhelm my senses, , I remembered we had swatches to work with...yes, a starting point, a foundation to build on. <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">Nevertheless</span>, I sat there with a huge pile of choices and my brain went into shut down mode. From Natalie's perspective I was probably drooling and my eyes were rolled back in my head. Seeing my distress, she suggested we break for lunch.<br />Three helpings of tortellini later, we had refreshed and renewed our focus. Sketches and swatches in hand <span style="color: #cc0000;">Natalie the Annihilator</span> and <span style="color: #993399;">Carrie the Cheetah</span> sat down with Lisa from <a href="http://www.sevenislandsfabric.com/"><span style="color: #33cc00;">Seven Islands Fabrics</span> </a>and placed our first wholesale order. Natalie was genius at sorting through my indecision and the end result was perfect! We found beautiful fabric and paid 1/5 of the price had we purchased it retail or online. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Yay</span></span> for us! We will be back in September!!!<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_EfUEC2XSECI/SmDUuSl2gpI/AAAAAAAAAFM/UBsrvPEq_s8/s1600-h/source2009-logo.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359517448300561042" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_EfUEC2XSECI/SmDUuSl2gpI/AAAAAAAAAFM/UBsrvPEq_s8/s400/source2009-logo.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 242px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a>Brava Boutiquehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06087465911593271982noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8689382312484942324.post-41848666352323500142009-06-18T23:08:00.001-07:002012-10-03T23:10:21.772-07:00Fall '09 Collection Fabrics<div align="left"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_EfUEC2XSECI/SjsrmCWvzJI/AAAAAAAAAB0/hTZWPn85Z0Y/s1600-h/DSC03024.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348916914899897490" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_EfUEC2XSECI/SjsrmCWvzJI/AAAAAAAAAB0/hTZWPn85Z0Y/s400/DSC03024.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><span style="font-family: &quot;Trebuchet MS&quot;, sans-serif;"> <strong><span style="color: black;">Aren't they pretty? And that is just a small sampling of all they yummy fabrics we will be using for our new collection. We can't wait to turn yardage into fashion and we are inviting you along for the ride.</span></strong></span><br /><br /></div><div align="left"><strong><span style="color: black; font-family: &quot;Trebuchet MS&quot;, sans-serif;">If you hadn't already noticed, our blog is a bit sparse but not for long. We are moving from infant bloggers to toddler quickly and we promise to do our best to be current. I admit that this post alone has taken quite an undertaking to accomplish...kitchen is a mess, baby is in bed, rest of family mesmerized by Shrek...so of course, I snuck into the office for a brief encounter with cyberspace.</span></strong><br /><br /><strong><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Trebuchet MS&quot;, sans-serif;">The process of starting our Fall '09 Collection began back in the Spring...which is actually when our Fall '09 Collection should have already been done...WHATEVER. We had just come down from the high of the success of our Spring collection and were rested and ready to start again. Most of the knits we planned on using for Fall were purchased on our first shopping trip to the </span><a href="http://www.fashiondistrict.org/"><span style="color: #33cc00; font-family: &quot;Trebuchet MS&quot;, sans-serif;">LA Fashion District</span></a><span style="font-family: &quot;Trebuchet MS&quot;, sans-serif;"> (that's a story for another time). We still needed so much...corduroy, velour, unique cotton prints etc. Retail was our only choice locally so we figured we would be off to LA again; however, my lovely, bright, smart friend Allison mentioned that there was a textiles convention at the Rio Hotel that very weekend...</span><a href="http://www.textileshows.com/"><span style="font-family: &quot;Trebuchet MS&quot;, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #33cc00;">The International Textiles Expo</span> </span></a><span style="font-family: &quot;Trebuchet MS&quot;, sans-serif;">to be exact...right in our back yard...BINGO!</span></span></strong><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;Trebuchet MS&quot;, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_EfUEC2XSECI/SkzxDrWSoUI/AAAAAAAAADE/fu_PV925ZsY/s1600-h/rio2009.jpg"><span style="font-family: &quot;Trebuchet MS&quot;, sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353919102514798914" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_EfUEC2XSECI/SkzxDrWSoUI/AAAAAAAAADE/fu_PV925ZsY/s400/rio2009.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 255px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></span></a><span style="font-family: &quot;Trebuchet MS&quot;, sans-serif;"> <strong><span style="color: black;">And then we remembered we were amateurs and that they don't let just any old seamstress into a textiles convention just because they love fabric. I told you we were new at this. But never fear, Pattycakes is here! Our blossoming relationship with Patty Zimmer, owner of <a href="http://www.pattycakeskids.com/"><span style="color: #33cc00;">Pattycakes Kids</span></a>, was once again working to our advantage. Patty was gracious enough to allow us to attend the convention as representatives of her lovely boutique. What an eye opening experience and what an education...we were like two kids in a candy store. </span></strong></span></div>Brava Boutiquehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06087465911593271982noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8689382312484942324.post-18357670110794679822009-05-22T08:18:00.000-07:002012-10-03T22:55:17.180-07:00Background<span style="font-size: 130%;"></span><strong><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">In the Fall of 2008, I was finally getting back into the swing of things after my 4th child turned six months old. It was time to quit having babies, enjoy raising them, and prepare to face the big 40 with grace. </span></strong><br /><br /><strong><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Meanwhile...down the street, Natalie was already there..with 4 kids in the mix she had started a quickly growing cupcake/catering business and was somehow managing it all quite well. Inspired by Natalie's success I re-visited my love for sewing and decided to try my hand at ebay selling embellished and re-vamped Halloween costumes.</span></strong><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_EfUEC2XSECI/Smv8vh8OceI/AAAAAAAAAHU/yBIN9IfbpXI/s1600-h/sewing+pin.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362657674809733602" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_EfUEC2XSECI/Smv8vh8OceI/AAAAAAAAAHU/yBIN9IfbpXI/s400/sewing+pin.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 400px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><br /><strong><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Upon sharing my idea with Natalie it was all over...before my first costume was even finished, Natalie had bought a serger, designed her own pattern, and sewn her first custom dress only to top it off by casually mentioning that she had been to fashion design school BEFORE becoming a pharmacist and a mother of four. Who knew? It was a match made in heaven and <span style="color: #33cc00;"><a href="http://www.bravaboutique.etsy.com/" target="">Brava Boutique</a></span> was born.</span></strong><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_EfUEC2XSECI/SkzttAk8HEI/AAAAAAAAAC0/QHrZsh4Ebjk/s1600-h/DSC01540.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353915414541507650" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_EfUEC2XSECI/SkzttAk8HEI/AAAAAAAAAC0/QHrZsh4Ebjk/s400/DSC01540.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><br /><strong><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Within weeks the original plan evolved from Halloween costumes to custom Halloween outfits to custom Christmas outfits. By the end of November, Brava Boutique had created a 25 piece fall/Christmas collection for our first client (hey Marcine!). We named our creation <span style="color: #33cc00;"><a href="http://www.bravaboutique.etsy.com/">Glad Heart</a></span> based on <span style="color: #3333ff;">Proverbs 15:13. "A glad heart makes a happy face."</span></span></strong><br /><br /><strong><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">As much as Marcine loved it, we needed more input. In exchange for a good old fashioned GNO, we asked all the moms we knew to tell us what they thought of our first effort. By the end of the night we had 8 custom orders and a re-newed confidence that we were on the right track! </span></strong><br /><strong><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"></span></strong><br /><strong><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Since that great night in November we took our first fabric shopping trip to LA, obtained our business license, attended our first textiles trade show, put on our first (and probably our last :)) fashion show, met with a web designer, and bought swanky brand new <a href="http://www.berninausa.com/"><span style="color: #33cc00;">Bernina</span></a> sewing machines. </span></strong><br /><br /><strong><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">As of April 2009, we are basking in the glow of the success of our Spring 09 collection. In one night we sold over 50 of the 85 pieces we designed and are currently in the middle of creating an exclusive Summer collection for <a href="http://www.pattycakeskids.com/"><span style="color: #33cc00;">Pattycakes Kids</span></a>. Plans are already in the works for Fall and it will be our best collection yet!</span></strong>Brava Boutiquehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06087465911593271982noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8689382312484942324.post-12729845285413044912009-05-21T09:38:00.000-07:002012-10-03T22:49:34.659-07:00Baby Blogger<strong><span style="font-family: &quot;Trebuchet MS&quot;, sans-serif; font-size: 130%;">Today is the day I officially become a blogger...I am a brand new babe to the world of the cyberspace diary. I have perused many a blog in the recent past sort of wondering why anyone would want to memorialize every little step in their journey...no matter how mundane or profound. And why would anyone want to read it? Naturally, I found myself re-visiting certain blogs and being sucked into the details wondering what was going to happen next...How was the sweet young couple with all the kids recovering from the plane crash...did the husband pull through?...Did the fabric designer I love so much release her latest collection?...How did the big trade show turn out for the baby blanket designing mom? And then I realized, not only was I engaged but I was also learning things I needed to help my own business grow. I was grateful for the selfless sharing of information and have decided to be a part of it.</span></strong><span style="font-family: &quot;Trebuchet MS&quot;, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_EfUEC2XSECI/SkzwUcIfJhI/AAAAAAAAAC8/UK8z_U-nY3E/s1600-h/DSC02953.JPG"><span style="font-family: &quot;Trebuchet MS&quot;, sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353918290976515602" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_EfUEC2XSECI/SkzwUcIfJhI/AAAAAAAAAC8/UK8z_U-nY3E/s400/DSC02953.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 400px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 300px;" /></span></a><br /><strong><span style="font-size: 130%;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Trebuchet MS&quot;, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #33cc00;">Brava Boutique</span> is our name and sewing unique custom clothing for little girls is our passion. The name of our clothing line is <span style="color: #cc0000;">Glad Heart</span>. As we approach our 1 year anniversary in August we thought it would be fun to memorialize the process we go through of creating a clothing line from it's birth. We will take you along for the ride as we design, sew, and market our Fall/Christmas Collection for 2009... but first we need to catch you up on how we got to where we are now...</span></span></strong>Brava Boutiquehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06087465911593271982noreply@blogger.com0